Billionaire entrepreneur Adrian Portelli launched into an expletive-filled outburst during a live radio interview on ABC 774 Melbourne on Thursday, telling presenter Rafael Epstein to "f*** off" before abruptly hanging up the phone.
Explosive Exchange Over Business Model
The 37-year-old businessman, famously known as 'Mr Lambo', became increasingly agitated as breakfast host Epstein persistently questioned whether Portelli's LMCT+ rewards club operated similarly to a lottery or gambling enterprise. The interview took place during Portelli's personal appearance at his newly opened petrol station in Preston, Melbourne, where he was promoting $1-per-litre fuel discounts for LMCT+ subscription members.
Comparing Rewards to Gambling Machines
"We offer discounts for shopping. That's what we do," Portelli asserted, his frustration palpable through the airwaves. "Over $100,000 in discounts we offer with that membership. Okay?"
The confrontation intensified when Epstein raised concerns about LMCT+ placing kiosks in shopping centres to attract subscribers, questioning how these differed from poker machines, commonly referred to as pokies in Australia.
"Tell me what pokie is offering $100,000 in day-to-day savings that you're trying to insinuate," Portelli challenged angrily.
Defending the Membership Structure
When Epstein suggested that LMCT+ patrons must pay a subscription fee to access discounts, asking why free memberships weren't offered, Portelli responded with visible shock.
"If I had a free membership, what's the point of having a membership? That's not a membership now, is it?" he retorted. "The membership is, you pay your fee, and you get access to perks."
Portelli grew increasingly argumentative as Epstein continued probing the business model, eventually shouting: "If I wanted to shut down Melbourne, I would have opened up 99 Cents to the whole of Melbourne!"
The Dramatic Conclusion
As Epstein attempted to conclude the increasingly heated exchange, stating "I'm going to leave it there, A, because it's enough time, but also, there's probably enough F-bombs, but I appreciate you coming on the radio," Portelli delivered his final explosive remark.
"F*** off," the billionaire declared before slamming down the phone, ending the live broadcast abruptly.
Throughout the interview, Portelli dropped multiple f-bombs while defending his business against what he perceived as unfair comparisons to gambling operations. He emphasized that LMCT+ helps members save money on daily necessities through their subscription, with plans to expand into grocery stores alongside the newly added petrol discounts.
